Bone Augmentation in Rat by Highly Porous β-TCP Scaffolds with Different Open-cell Sizes in Combination with Fibroblast Growth Factor-2

Abstract

We prepared highly porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffolds with different open-cell structure sizes. The aim of this study was to examine whether the open-cell size of the scaffold affected osteoinduction in combination with fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) in rats. Polyurethane foam was immersed in β-TCP slurry and sintered in a furnace. Porous β-TCP scaffolds were prepared in three cell sizes (0.6, 0.4 and 0.3 mm) and characterized. Subsequently, each scaffold with FGF2 was implanted to rat cranial bone. Histomorphometric analyses were taken at 35 days post-surgery. The results showed that each β-TCP scaffold exhibited fully interconnected porosity, and frequently allowed bone tissue ingrowth. The 0.4-mm cell sized scaffold significantly promoted bone augmentation compared to the 0.3-mm type. Resorption of the β-TCP scaffold of 0.4-mm cell size was frequently accelerated. In conclusion, FGF2-loaded β-TCP scaffolds with 0.4-mm cell size would be effective for bone tissue engineering.